MEMBERS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 35 | DECEMBER 2010 Arthritis Doesn’t Discriminate. Over 1000 children in New Zealand are living with arthritis. If you didn’t know this you are not alone, most New Zealanders are unaware of this fact. Nelson’s 18 year old James Lowe is well aware of the fact that arthritis doesn’t discriminate “No one knew kids could between the ages. He was diagnosed with get arthritis.” Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) only a few “Thanks to Dr Porter for putting James on the years ago. injections, he now feels 100% with no side In October 2007, James returned home from effects and is full on.” playing cricket with a rash. James, under the influence of his grandfather, When James, who was normally extremely also takes complementary treatments to keep active, became increasingly lethargic, his him healthy including Omega-3 and a joint parents took him to a doctor who then supplement. referred him onto a rheumatologist. This year saw James contribute to the New The rheumatologist ran blood tests and Zealand School Boys rugby team beating their James was diagnosed with JIA. Australian counterparts by scoring one of three By February 2008, James’s symptoms had all tries and he has just been signed by Tasman but disappeared and James made the Nelson Boys Colleges 1st XV Rugby Union for two years. rugby team for the first time. On hearing James’s story of determination and success, Arthritis New Unfortunately for James, his symptoms returned with vengence in Zealand couldn’t resist the temptation to fly James up to meet an May 2008 that lasted through till July, but after being prescribed established rugby star with arthritis, All Black Neemia Tialata. prednisone (which is a type of corticosteroid medication) the arthritis Neemia, who is an official ambassador for Arthritis New Zealand, and symptoms appeared to be under control. has osteoarthritis in his knees, took young James under his wing and But in December 2008, James’s arthritis flared up with a vengence. He introduced him to the team at the Captain’s Run before the Vodafone could hardly walk on Christmas Day which had a huge impact on a Wellington Lions took on Taranaki. James was also allowed to sit on chap whose life revolves around being active. the bench with the rest of the team at the game. The worse was still to come. In February 2009, James was hospitalised Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand, was delighted for several days. that the two elite sports people got an opportunity to meet: “This occasion helps highlight how arthritis can strike anyone, regardless of James’s specialist Dr Porter, started James on enbrel (Etanercept) age or fitness. It also illustrates that having arthritis doesn’t relegate injections and James began to show swift improvement. After six people to the sidelines of life. “ weeks of having the injections, James was back on the playing field. Arthritis New Zealand continues to try to break down the common James’s father Geoff Lowe, is incredibly thankful to Dr Porter: misconception that arthritis is an ‘old person’s disease’ and hopes “When James was at his worse, he could only spend two hours that by having a rising rugby star and rugby legend like James and at school and at times because the school was on a hill, James Neemia as official ambassadors, it will help strengthen this message. would fall and his mates would have to help pick him up.” Official magazine of Arthritis New Zealand ISSN 1175-8953 FROM THE Chief Executive’s Desk Kia ora tatou In years to come when we reflect back on 2010, I think Sandra Kirby, Christchurch will be the place we recall. The earthquake on Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive September 4th and the ongoing aftershocks have had a huge IN THIS ISSUE: impact on the city and the people. From the Chief Executive’s Desk 2 We were so fortunate that no lives and I hope for our staff, members, volunteers and Our Sun - friend or foe? 3 comparatively few buildings were lost. supporters in Canterbury life can return to World Arthritis Day 4 However like many things the impact wasn’t normal and that the year ahead is little less Camp Sunshine 2011 always on the surface. Arthritis New Zealand shaky than this one has been. I equally hope Gardening Tips for Everyone 6 staff, members, volunteers and clients were that the words we use as we try to show our all affected by the earthquake. Every person support are ones that resonate rather than Note from The President 8 lost sleep and some a whole lot more than create more strife – that will be our intention. 2010 Annual General Meeting 9 that. From outside of Canterbury there May the Christmas season bring you the Yoga for Rheumatoid Arthritis 10 seemed little we could do but be there for security of knowing your family and friends Clinical Guidelines for treating RA 12 support. are safe and secure. For those of you who Second Medication Option 12 In some ways arthritis causes the same have lost family or friends over the year may Santa’s Top Tips for Staying Healthy 14 kind of impact. While for some people the their memories make you smile. affects of arthritis will be obvious for most A Clearer Picture 15 It was the American president Calvin the damage to joints and certainly the pain is Coolidge who said “Christmas is not a time out of sight. Constant pain, like lack of sleep, Editor: Megan Hubbard nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish Phone: 04 472 5640 creates its own challenges for daily living. peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in Email: [email protected] And just like Cantabrians, most people with mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” arthritis will carry on asking for little in the I hope you can cherish peace and goodwill way of support. contribute to and be generous in your mercy. I also hope The word we use to describe the impact that is what you receive from others. can be challenging. Are people with arthritis suffering or affected? Is arthritis a disability or We look forward to your a disabling illness? Is Christchurch flattened Nga mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou contribution or damaged? Words are important because Closing date for the next issue the wrong words are often a barrier rather is 14 January 2011 than a bridge. Words are also the main Supported by: advocacy tool we have – and unfortunately the more dramatic the word the greater the Sandra Kirby likelihood of the message being picked up Chief Executive – with the risk of whether it’s earthquake damage or the effect of arthritis, we might overstate the case. Products advertised through this magazine do imply endorsement by Arthritis New Zealand. All products, including advertisements, are in good faith, and with the intention of providing products which may be of interest to the consumer. 2 : ISSUE 35 | 2010 Our Sun – Friend or Foe for those with Lupus? Written in conjunction with Kay Macfarlane, Lupus New Zealand With the summer just around the corner Background on Lupus we all need to be responsible in the sun. Lupus is a worldwide condition which in New Everyone must remember to be sun smart, Zealand affects 1 - 2 people in 1000 and is 3 but for those with lupus extra care may need to 4 times more prevalent amongst Māori, to be taken. Pacific peoples, Asians and ethnic groups The question is do lupus patients really need with pigmented skin. to avoid the sun? Lupus is more common in women; however Many lupus patients say the sun does not young children and men are also affected. bother them and ask if they really need to Lupus can present itself in a bewildering avoid it. On the other hand, another group number of ways, often mimicking other are so sun-sensitive that they develop a diseases. It can be difficult to diagnose. Every rash along with fatigue and aching even case is different and rarely do two people when they are exposed to open, uncovered experience exactly the same symptoms. For fluorescent lights. suggestions on how to cope and live well The truth about sun exposure lies with lupus visit website www.lupus.org.nz. somewhere in between. In general 60-70% Olivia Clarke, who is 20 and has lupus was of lupus patients avoid the sun because it caught by the spring sun recently: “A couple gives them a rash or makes them feel tired, of weeks ago I sat out in the sun for twenty achy, or feverish. minutes, and that night I realised that my Medical advice for sun-sensitive arms were burnt. The sunburn appeared to bring on a flare the next day.” patients is to: “Spring is tricky, still not hot hot but enough • undertake your outdoor activities in the to burn you, I have been really careful since early morning or late afternoon that day, and even if I’m not in the sun I put • be aware that some medications can sunscreen on anyway, and I always take an increase sensitivity to the sun i.e. most umbrella to the beach with me.” sulfa-containing antibiotics and certain “Be aware of your limits, it takes just two tetracyclines minutes to put suncreen on and it may save • be aware of how sunscreens work – SPF you from a flare.” (sun protection factor) below 15 are of Useful tip – if you wish to check out the little value in lupus and those over 30 ultraviolet index on a particular day visit: may cause the skin to dry, burn, sting or sunsmart.org.nz/uvi itch • apply a sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours to any uncovered area, especially the face • wear protective clothing and a wide- brimmed hat World Arthritis Day Tuesday 12 October 2010, marked World Arthritis Day.